Which Is the Best Free Anti-Virus Software? Other Security Software?

[TomBrooklyn]

Which Is the Best Free Anti-Virus Software? Other Security Software?

Win7 x64


Which is the best free-for-home-users anti-virus software?


What other free-for-home-users security software do you recommend using in conjunction with Windows 7 x64 these days?


If I'm not mistaken, this version of Windows has a built in Firewall. Does that make Zone Alarm redundant or problematic?

 

[kegobeer]

Visit the System Security board - this has been asked and answered quite a few times.

 

[zigzag3143]

Best in what way?
Same as above

It does have its built in firewall, and ZAP is problematic.


Have you tried searching here for the answers to the questions?

 

[gregrocker]

The most recommended freeware AV here now is Microsoft Security Essentials with the Win7 firewall, Malwarebytes on demand scanner.

 

[FuturDreamz]

The most recommended freeware AV here now is Microsoft Security Essentials with the Win7 firewall, Malwarebytes on demand scanner.

Yep, just follow basic good security practises and you're good with MSE.

I wanted to link to an article detailing good security practises, but I couldn't find one. But basically keep everything up-to-date and avoid downloading and running suspicious files. The sandboxing in Google's Chrome browser helps a lot, too.

 

[cliffflip]

As far as I know, MSE has a low detection rate compared to other free antivirus software. Avira has a high detection rate but for some cases it tends to lead to a false alarm (i've experienced this a few times), also it will slow down your PC performance a little bit, especially on startup.

You should check this thread for more info : http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/72070-whats-best-anti-virus.html

 

[gregrocker]

I'd like to find reliable ratings. I don't really trust most of them since there is often a big banner ad for one of the products being rated on the same page. If you once thought CNET was trustworthy, have you tried to install software lately that's been bundled with their sneaky crapware downloader?

Consumer Reports which normally has ethical ratings is behind a paywall. Does that mean we'd each have to subscribe or can the list be quoted here as a newsworthy article?

We also all judge by our own perspective. I go by performance since I don't get infected. For the Typhoid Mary's of the web I suggest Malwarebytes real time protection. How about you?

 

[karlsnooks]

Here is another strong vote for MSE.
If you read technical articles, then the names Fred Langa and Paul Thurott may ring a bell.

They, like many of us here, use exclusively Microsoft Security Essentials, MSE.

they also use Windows Defender Offline (WDO) as an "offline" scanner.

Your will find links to both in my signature.

Here is a link to an article from a Security blog which I recommend reading.
Understanding Microsoft Anti-Malware Software 2012 ~ Security Garden

 

[gregrocker]

Here is a link to an article from a Security blog which I recommend reading.
Understanding Microsoft Anti-Malware Software 2012 ~ Security Garden

The article is excellent and sorted the MS choices perfectly for me. It's also by our own Corrine.

 

[karlsnooks]

corrine does very nice work.
I've got her blog feed in my list of feeds that google reads for me.

 

[Golden]

Hi,

In addition to the recommendations above, ensure that your Java and FlashPlayer are up-to-date. These are usually forgotten in the security mix, but represent the most common route for malware infections.

Use this to check for other common vulnerabilities:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/181981-secunia-online-software-inspector.html

Regards,
Golden

 

[windude99]

As far as I know, MSE has a low detection rate compared to other free antivirus software. Avira has a high detection rate but for some cases it tends to lead to a false alarm (i've experienced this a few times), also it will slow down your PC performance a little bit, especially on startup.

You should check this thread for more info : http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/72070-whats-best-anti-virus.html

Have you seen version 4? I did my own detection tests myself and it did really, really well. it integrates with Internet Explorer 9, so between that and smart screen filter in IE9, you shouldn't get any viruses, but you never know so that's why we have Malwarebytes

 

[karlsnooks]

PSI is a good program to make sure that your programs are up-to-date.

 

[A Guy]

Golden linked to their OSI, but PSI is what I use. Am sticking to the older version though as the new Beta is far too automated, with less info. A Guy

 

[F5ing]

Golden linked to their OSI, but PSI is what I use. Am sticking to the older version though as the new Beta is far too automated, with less info. A Guy

So that's going to be the "new" version? No option to disable the automation while providing less info? I've not tried the beta, but it sounds as though it's a step backward. I'd much rather have the option to run in auto or manual. In manual you at least have the option to delay an update where you know that issues have surfaced because of it. I'll bet the corporate software they offer allows the user more control over the automation.

I agree with greg on not relying on reviews provided by those ad supported AV review sites. Some of the recommendations I've seen them make over the years could be considered irresponsible (at least as far as the consumer is concerned).

I've got a few links to some review sites that appear as though there are no questionable affiliations, but I can only find one at the moment:

AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - About Us

 

[karlsnooks]

You will find that "independents" aren't all that independent.

 

[F5ing]

You will find that "independents" aren't all that independent.

Could very well be true, which is why I stated it as:

that appear as though

 

[TomBrooklyn]

Visit the System Security board - this has been asked and answered quite a few times.

Hi kegobeer, and thanks, I sure will. I didn't realize that was there. Sorry for clogging up this board with an off- and rehashed topic. I see this thread has been moved to the Security Forum. At least it's in the right forum, now.

Best in what way?

I prefer an application that gets the job done with the least amount of start-up delay, required user input, and notifications.

The most recommended freeware AV here now is Microsoft Security Essentials with the Win7 firewall, Malwarebytes on demand scanner.

I was using Avast on my last personal computer. I tried it on Windows 7, but got annoyed when it wanted to sandbox every application I was downloading from Sourceforge. I was impressed it had a sandbox feature, which I had never seen before; but not that it didn't recognize fairly well known applications.
I switched over to Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE.) One might imagine it's likely to integrate the best with the operating system (OS), since it's made by the same company.
I already had the MS firewall option activated; and I had Malwarebyes installed too. I knew about Malwarebytes. I think most people consider it the best Worm and Trojan defender these days.

...keep everything up-to-date and avoid downloading and running suspicious files. The sandboxing in Google's Chrome browser helps a lot, too.

I've set all notifications for updates to on.
I didn' t know Chrome had a Sandbox. I'll check that out.
I have trouble avoiding suspicious files altogether as I get some things from torrents. Is there a way to scan them for malware?

If you read technical articles, then the names Fred Langa and Paul Thurott may ring a bell.
they also use Windows Defender Offline (WDO) as an "offline" scanner.
Here is a link to an article from a Security blog which I recommend reading.
Understanding Microsoft Anti-Malware Software 2012 ~ Security Garden

Thanks, karl. I'll do that reading; and get that Windows Defender Offline. I see from googling it, that it's something new; and it sounds like a good thing.

...ensure that your Java and FlashPlayer are up-to-date. These...represent the most common route for malware infections.
Use this to check for other common vulnerabilities:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/181981-secunia-online-software-inspector.html

Hi Golden. I'll set Flash and Java to update automatically. I didn't know they were problematic. Do they do updates specifically to close the door on vulnerabilities? I'll read that link too.

 

[Golden]

Hi Golden. I'll set Flash and Java to update automatically. I didn't know they were problematic. Do they do updates specifically to close the door on vulnerabilities? I'll read that link too.

Hi Tom,

Yes, they are probably the most-frequently used vehicles are carrying malware, and the updates are usually, but not exclusively, to patch security vulnerabilities.

FlashPlayer is an Adobe product, so if you use AdobeReader that also needs to go into your list. Many users now avoid AdobeReader altogether, and use the many free and quite good alternatives (I use NitroPDF).

Regards,
Golden

 

[TomBrooklyn]

Many users now avoid AdobeReader altogether, and use the many free and quite good alternatives (I use NitroPDF).

Hi Golden,

If Adobe Reader is eliminated, can Flash Player be done away with?